Airbrushing with Reusche paint

[jo_dover]

Hi all, I'm interested in trying some airbrushing with Reusche paints, to then fire them - but am not having much success. The paint particles seem to be too big to flow through the airbrush. But I know other people have done this. Any one got any experience? what binder should I use? what kind of nozzle should I have on the airbrush? any thoughts or help would be appreciated.

[Planet Glass]

In order to avoid clogging, single action is better than double action because you don't want to use the complete handle. A #5 needle is recommended, but yes there is always a bit of clogging, clean up the nozzle regularly.

You might have to experiment to find out what works best for you, but it's a starting point.

[dawnt]

I use a double action Badger with a medium tip for powder enamels. I buy the Fusemaster airbrush medium diluted with water. Lots of swirling the cup. It still clogs sometimes. You may want to try some pre-mixed enamels thinnned for airbrushing. I find that works better.

Good luck!
Dawn

[bert weiss]

CMC makes a good medium. I cook it myself and leave it relatively thick. I paste the enamel powder with the liquid CMC. Then put this in a glass jar with a good lid. Then I thin with isopropyl alcohol and add a little squirt of Dawn dishwashing soap, and shake well. If you are having trouble with large particles spend more time mixing the paint. I either use a restaurant supply cake spreader or a glass muller (from Reusche). I mix the paint on a square foot of 1/4" float glass. You can also strain the paint through pantyhose to remove lumps. I have a fine metal flat strainer that can be used at any point in the mixing process to help break up lumpies.

[jo_dover]

Thanks for the replies - what is CMC? (not familiar with that term) also - single versus double? - explain.
Also, Dawn - what pre-mixed enamels do you use? I'm not familiar with any of those either!
Thanks guys

[Planet Glass]

CMC = carboxymethylcellulose

At least from my days working in a molecular biology lab, back in a past life.

[bert weiss]

CMC has 2 functions, it is a binder, and it holds solids in liquid suspension. It is used in commercial products like toothpaste and icecream as well as in industries. You can buy it as a powder at a pottery supply store.

You have to cook it in distilled water. Once it is cooked and smooth, it will dilute easily with cold water or alcohol. When making a spray medium add just a bit of dish soap to prevent the spray from beading up. (it doesn't take much powder to thicken a lot of water)

Klyr fire is a 3% CMC solution, which is relatively weak. I prefer to make it thicker, and dilute with ispopropyl alcohol because it dries faster after spraying.

[dawnt]

Unique enamels airbrush well, but I'm not thrilled with the color retention of them. I use Paradise thinned with mineral spirits. (For now! Guess I'll be experimenting with Ferro soon!)

With a dual action airbrush, air flow and paint flow are controlled separately with the single trigger, by pushing down and/or pulling back. It takes a bit more practice, but you can really control your paint with them. I like being able to get a fine dry application and find that single action brushes are more difficult to control the paint flow.

Hope that helps!

Dawn

[jo_dover]

Thanks guys! looks like I've got some research to do. Oh - I added a couple pics of my painting on glass (with no airbrushing) to my profile, so if you want to check them out - take a look!

[dawnt]

What a beautiful piece!

[Filmore Frit]

Particle size is a big factor for airbrush artists. If you are having clogging issues, you may want to grind your enamels first with a muller on a piece of plate glass. I use the Fuse Master enamels because they already are very fine. I also prefer the Fuse Master Airbrush Medium over CMC because CMC, especially ceramic store grade, can cause the enamels to look dull and flat compared to those applied with Fuse Master Air Brush Medium. Try a side by side test and you can see the diference.

[jo_dover]

I'm not familiar with the fuse master enamels. Do they come in transparents or just opaques? what temp do you fire at? what kind of applications do you use them for?

[Kara]

I have been reading about these enamels and asking a lot of people. Seems they are used like the Reusche pigments, They are powder, people seem to like the colors more. They are available in transparent and opaque, and lead free. They are used for the type of work you do, like the mermaid. Here are some links others have sent to me.

transparent
http://www.fusionheadquarters.com/Pages/96_supplies/lo_fire_enamels.html
opaque
http://www.fusionheadquarters.com/Pages/96_supplies/opaque_enamels.html

[jo_dover]

Thanks a bunch for the response, Kara, and the links to the site. They do seem to have a pretty amazing range of colors, and I like the temp it fires at. I think I will get a sample pack of the transparents, and give them a try - see how they look and work. I'll let you know when I've done that.

Reckon I'll get some of the medium Filmore Frit referred to as well - see if that solves my airbrush problems as well. Very excited by the range of colors though - if they work out, it could mean a whole new world of enamelling for me!!

[Kara]

Hi Jo

I've been chatting with Kathy Jordan who is teaching a class with Kenneth leap..By the way if you haven't you should visit his website and see his mermaid, (CHOOSE CORPORATE)
http://www.jkennethleap.com/navigation/jump_corporate.htm

any way she says she likes the colors of fusemaster but that she finds them expensive, and that kenneth leap has been trying the Ferro oil for his tracing and likes it. Kathy uses the higher fire enamels, I've been coming across many who are using the series 5 of Reusche, the opaques of fusemaster they are higher fire, and the ferro. But I like transparcy so I will definately be trying more of the transparent of fusemaster and reusche. Most people that comment on the fusemaster the comment is that the high fire opaques are mixable, and that both transparent and opaque colors are very strong in color. Have fun, Oh did you find a place on the site that they sell a sampler kit other than 5 colors, like a whole set, because I didn't notice one?

[jo_dover]

No - didn't find a full sample pack, but went for the 'earth tones' or something like that, couple greens, couple red/browns. All colors I use most for the enamels - so we'll see! didn't want to invest too much at this point until I know if I'm gonna like them!

Looked at the 'Leap' site - mindblowing!! amazing painting. Couldn't find the mermaid though - do you know which project it was in? (in corporate I mean)

[Kara]

sorry my instructions were wrong!:facepalm:

it's the top link on the right side menu


Historic Boardwalk Hall


He did a woman swimmer and a mermaid, Dome, it shows the fabrication and everything. If you want to see the fabrication you have to first go to the "Historic Boardwalk link" then when you see the thumbnail images before you click on lmages look at the top links and you can choose "fabrication" this is the only place I see that link. To see the pictures just click on the thumbnails.

http://www.jkennethleap.com/navigation/jump_corporate.htm

[jo_dover]

Thanks again for the right link! delicious glass - just wonderful, what a great job too!

[mauro]

Really good job !